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Cures for Heartbreak
- By Margo Rabb
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Sad, witty, powerful read about a parent dying.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the mother of 15-year-old Mia dies 12 days after being diagnosed with cancer, and her father has a heart attack. Each chapter could stand alone with vivid descriptions of Mia's evolving grief, her relationships with her stodgy father and sharp-tongued older sister, and her challenges with boys, peers, and fitting in. There is some edgy material: Teens discuss sex and romance, sip wine, use profanity, and skip school; there is also reference to the Holocaust and aftermath for Mia's mother's family. But overall, Mia's progression through grief is real, and readers will appreciate that while there is no "sure-bet" cure, she is able to grow by leaning on family and friends.
What's the story?
Fifteen-year-old Mia's mother checks into the hospital for a stomach ache and dies 12 days later from melanoma. Then her father, whom she struggles to get along with, has a second heart attack and bypass surgery. Helping her absorb it all is a new best friend, shopping trips, and a 19-year-old boy in remission from leukemia. Then, as if keeping herself going wasn't hard enough, her father is suddenly engaged.
Is it any good?
The authenticity of this novel stems largely from author Margo Rabb's teen experiences of losing her own mother and father. Mia's teen behaviors after her mother's death are spot-on, and readers will find it easy to connect with her, even if they don't have similar experiences.
The author expertly weaves Mia's everyday moments as a teen girl -- funny stuff -- with the tough and tear-jerking milestones of her grieving process. Mia gets a new best friend and crushes on boys on the one hand, and ponders her parents' marital discord, her mother's bouts of depression, and her difficult relationships with her father and older sister on the other. CURES FOR HEARTBREAK is a valuable coming-of-age story for the right teen reader ready for the tough subject matter.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the title of this book: What was the "cure" for Mia, or is there one? How are these related to Mia's needs as a teen -- such as the comfort of a best friend, finding love in a boyfriend (one who has his own experiences with illness), or the safety net of a family?
How is Mia a more evolved person in the end?
On the author's website, she remembers that, "Within two weeks after my
mother died I'd checked out every library
book I could find which featured a dead parent." How does
reading about a character like you help you deal with situations?Why is
it also important to read about characters different from yourself?
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AGE
Amazing
i love this book ive read it many times
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AGE
well not too amazing.
I got this book thinking i was going to learn how teenage daughters cope losing their mothers but i did not.What i learned was more about her family.
her edged sister her father who is very stonefaced and its all too easy yet confusing to follow.
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| Author: | Margo Rabb |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | February 13, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 256 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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